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Caravelle MPV

Volkswagen Caravelle MPV 2.0 BiTDI 180 Exec 4Motion SWB 5dr Review

For If you carry full loads regularly, you will appreciate the extra power this Caravelle has over the 138bhp-powered car. There's masses of space and four-wheel drive.

Against Emissions and fuel costs are high, while the Caravelle's van-based origins won't be to everyone's taste. It's very expensive, too.

Volkswagen Caravelle MPV

What Car? says

1 out of 5 stars

You will love the engine and the extra stability four-wheel-drive brings, but do you really need them?

What Car? readers say

4


Key facts

0–60mph
11.8 secs
Top speed
117 mph
Average mpg
33.6
Tank range
591 miles
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Features

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Size

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The full Volkswagen Caravelle review


Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

The VW Caravelle is a huge, practical but pricey contender. It’s a seven-seater as standard, although you can specify aircraft-style seats instead of the three-seat bench in the rear to make it a luxury six- or, with the long wheelbase, seven-seater.

With the 'sleep pack', the bench can even be converted into a bed with extra blinds also provided along with a heater to keep you toasty warm at night without running the engine.

The interior’s fit and finish are good, and all models come with rails in the floor so you can move the seats and versatile table to tailor the cabin to your needs. The second row seats also swivel to face forwards or backwards. Be warned, though – freeing up maximum cargo space involves lifting the seats out entirely, and they’re exceptionally heavy.

Reader test team says:

Volkswagen Caravelle MPV 2.5 TDI PD 174 SE SWB 5dr

We have owned this Caravelle from new (2006). Overall it has been the best vehicle for our family of 6, that we could have hoped for. Fuel consumption…

Richard Arkwright

5 out of 5 stars

Volkswagen Caravelle MPV 2.5 TDI PD 174 SE SWB 5dr

We have now had this caravelle for 15 months. In this time we have had over 40 different faults. All to do with the interior and doors. Items ranging…

Simon Greenslade

3 out of 5 stars

Volkswagen Caravelle MPV 2.5 TDI PD 174 Executive SWB 5dr

Caravelle 2.5 174. 2005 Model. Having owned this car from new and covered 110,000 miles I would consider myself to be in an excellent position to…

John Davis

1 out of 5 stars

Volkswagen Caravelle MPV 2.5 TDI PD 174 SE SWB 5dr

I have had the T5 Caravelle 4 motion for 3 years and have hauled the family from Victoria Falls to Cape Town and Swakopmund to Punto do Ora in…

Mervyn van Staden

5 out of 5 stars
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